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Without “son”, there would be no “salsa”. Issac Delgado is one of the greatest salseros of all time. A good “salsero” (salsa singer) carries the root of “son” deep in their heart.

Issac Delgado, “El Chevere de la Salsa”, releases the long awaited Salsa album, “Lluvia y Fuego”—the 17th solo recording of a long discography. This new recording, a modern throwback, is distinguished by its rich compositions and arrangements written by the artist himself in collaboration with Jesus Cruz and Yusef Diaz. The Cuban vocalist sprinkles his album with vocal and instrumental special guests such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Alain Pérez, Alexander Abreu, Pedrito Martínez, and Samuel Formell, among others. “Lluvia y Fuego”, offers the listener a smorgasbord of diverse sounds, passionate lyrics and the lush feelings of bolero, salsa and son.

Born in Havana to a tailor father, and an actress-dancer-singer mother, Issac trained on violincello at the Almadeo Roldan Conservatory before transitioning to vocal training with one of the best vocal teachers in Cuba, Marian DeGonish. Soon after, he enrolled in the professional musicians school, Ignacio Cervantes. He became an active member of well-known salsa bands within the vast Cuban musical landscape such as Orquesta de Pacho Alonso and the progressive NG La Banda. NG La Banda was a salsa orchestra led by José Luis Cortes, and was the band that gave birth to “timba”, a genre within salsa music featuring faster tempos and more focus on timbales and percussion. Timba was the first new popular Cuban music genre in a generation, and lead vocalist Issac was on the cutting edge of Cuban dance music becoming one it’s best composers and melodic improvisers.

Issac’s solo career began in the 90’s with the debut album entitled Dando La Hora followed by Con Ganas under the musical direction and collaboration of pianist, Gonzalo Rubalcaba. After the success of his solo debut, he garnered iconic status in the salsa and timba scenes of Latin America, stocking his bands with great improvisers and sophisticated jazz musicians. His sensuous and velvety voice gave his bands a distinct sound, and the unique arrangements characterized his performances and recordings. He had a string of hits such as the popular Sanduguita, Necesito Una Amiga and No Me Mires a Los Ojos which came from well-known recordings like En Primera Plana and Así Soy. His loving latin tribute to Nat Cole’s most popular songs were recorded on an album entitled Love and includes a classic duet with Freddy Cole on the famous tune Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

Issac is an artist truly loved by his people. He is respected by musicians and bandleaders worldwide, and is known for his charisma and humble ways. Having played on world class stages and collaborated with big names in the Latin and international music world, Issac keeps his classic-modern Cuban essence intact. Citing distinctive syncopation, Issac pays homage to Spanish and African cultures with his own individual brand of Afro-Cuban music, bringing deep-rooted sentiment to modern Cuban music.